Today in History - History - April 17th

1997NJ Devil Martin Brodeur is 2nd NHL goalie to score in a playoff game

1939Stalin signs British-France-Russian anti-Nazi pact

1987Julius Erving becomes 3rd NBA player to score 30,000 points

1947Jackie Robinson bunts for his 1st major league hit

1951NY Yankee Mickey Mantle's 1st game, he goes 1 for 4

1925NY Yankee Babe Ruth has ulcer surgery

1982Proclamation of the Constitution Act by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau

1983Nolan Ryan strikes out his 3,500th batter

1492Christopher Columbus signs contract with Spain to find Indies

1961Jimmy Stewart accepts an honorary Oscar on behalf of his friend Gary Cooper, who is too ill to attend

1974Victoria Beckham [Adams], Harlow, Essex, English singer (Posh Spice-Spice Girls)

1620Marguerite Bourgeoys, Troyes France, founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame (first Canadian saint)

1972Jennifer Garner [Affleck], Houston, Texas. American actress (Sydney Bristow-Alias)

1923Harry Reasoner, Dakota City Iowa, newscaster (60 Minutes, ABC, CBS)

1929Baseball great Babe Ruth (34) marries 2nd wife Claire Merritt Hodgson (31)

2009World's no. 1 professional tennis player Andy Roddick (29) weds fashion model and actress Brooklyn Decker (25) in Austin, Texas

1790Benjamin Franklin, US, US Founding Father, inventor ambassador and writer (Poor Richards Almanac), dies at 84

1892Alexander Mackenzie, 2nd Prime Minister of Canada, dies of a stroke at 70